Educational Responses to Language and Power - Report Example

CRITICAL EDUCATIONAL RESPONSES TO LANGUAGE AND POWER by Student’s Name Code + Course Name Professor University City/State Date Critical Educational Responses to Language and Power Language is a vital part in communication; the connection that two or more people having a conversation possess. Language differs with people from different regions as they usually adapt the local language of their region. Power, a word with many definitions, can be defined as the authority or ability to control. There are different forms of power: influential or instrumental. Relating these two terms might be unlikely as they seem far apart, but one thing is for sure, they affect each other directly. In some cases, one could claim that power has priority and control over language. The above statement might seem true, but only through language when power is effective. Thus, even when language seems inferior to power, it is important to note that power is highly dependent on language to have dominance effectively. Instrumental power refers to the authority over anyone; the law or regulations that people must follow. In power for example politics, language is vital since it links an individual with people that elect him/her to power. However, any Language is surrounded by several factors that have an effect on the audience. Grammar comes first, in most cases of language, there are laid down rules that define how the language should be used, this is called grammar. Choosing to follow or not to follow these guidelines has an effect on the persuasiveness of the person to the people. Some may prefer a speaker to follow grammatical rules while others may not. In instrumental power, grammar plays an important role since grammar could change the meaning of a sentence and result to misunderstanding among people. Influential power in language is more of a persuasion or convincing form of relation (Simpson & Mayr 2010), in religion, for example, a priest or a sheikh will use language that will try to pull you into his ideology and join his religious affiliation. Different from power where you have to follow a specific religion influential power tries to seduce. Influential power tends to be short and to the point. In advertising, for example the main point would be why you should buy or use a service and how it benefits you as the buyer. The difference in the motives of these two types power is seen in language, which is used. The person in charge of a conversation is considered to be in power. This is because of the different aspects of power in a conversation. The ability to initiate the conversation and set the agenda of the conversation are some of the indicators of who is in power. Changing of topics, interruptions and overlaps characterize the person in control of a conversation. These are few of the indicators that are used to show the influential person in a conversation. In any scenario, the one usually in control will tend to change the actions and the thoughts of the audience more than controlling the conversation solely. In a school setting, let us say a college with international exchange students from another country like China, who do not speak English as much as Chinese. There might be a language barrier in communicating and thus power is ineffective in communicating and controlling their activities. In such a setting, the difference in language is bound to produce disparities in understanding of one another. Due to differences in the regional backgrounds, the concerned parties may also have different meanings in some words that are pronounced similarly. This barrier, in language is bound to produce issues in the people communicating. As an instructor given the opportunity to teach the international students the common language used in our country, the particular way that will be used in responding to their problems in expressing themselves in our language is important. The first issue being the language barrier, as an instructor I will suggest that the students having a difficulty in self-expression in the new language try to use gestures that will make a point more than what their words can achieve. As a tutor, it will not be healthy to demoralize the students due to their weakness in language. In many cases, people with language issues are laughed at, which discourages their motives in learning the second language. Fear of self-expression is an issue that affects language. Many at times, the students might not express themselves due to fear and shyness. This is a major problem in language that should be addressed. It is a common problem among many and in the case of foreign students; a new environment could be a cause of the fear. To counter this problem, the teacher could indulge in conversations with the students, and give them tasks that require them to talk to people like a presentation. Abusive language is also an issue of language and power. In many instances abusive language could be used in a conversation that detriments the relationship of people. A statement might not be abusive in the wording, but the meaning. As a teacher, I should teach the students how to speak courteously without inflicting pain on the audience. Change of language is another issue that affects language and power. Language has different applicability and should be used carefully. This means that the words used in a conversation should be carefully selected. In an audience of children, for instance, the language changes to simple that would enhance the communication with the young ones, this language ought to be different with adults. Emotional representation is a problem affecting many people in language and power. Many people lack the skill to represent themselves emotionally; this results in misunderstanding in many situations. In a situation with the new students, teaching them the importance of articulating their emotional conditions in language is important. In an instrumental position; for example, a town has experienced a storm that has destroyed lives and property. As the leader of this town, he should be emotionally in line with the residents and communicate benevolently to the people as an affected person as well as representing power. Critical is a term that is used to describe a fault or not aligned with the conventional ways of life. Critical is divided into several areas that affect the way of life, i.e. the social, economic, political aspects of life. Criticism has been used to show a difference in the orthodox rules and principles of life. Critical has always been related to power because of the effect it has on people. In many instances, critical has been an opening for people to realize what is beyond their horizons. Critical knows no boundaries and many at times it could inhibit power thus the reason it is greatly related to power. In influential power where the people are persuaded into doing things critical is advantageous as well as detrimental. In an advertising scenario, for instance, the motive of the seller might be to communicate to the potential buyer and convince the buyer to buy the products. The buyer thinking critically will not follow the normal procedures that the sales people or advertisements portray. Consequently, the buyer might think of the other products that offer the same satisfaction as the viewed product. Thinking critically is questioning the conventional ways of life, and assessing their workability and if they are necessary. Critical in instrumental power, where people have to abide by the law is imperative. Many at times, people follow an ideology of an elected leader or the ideologies that have been set previously. In many political instances where instrumental power is experienced, people with unique ideologies and think critically tend to have a big following or oppose a governing institution (Rhoads & Valadez 1996). This is because being critical leads to questioning of the current leadership and the rules that have been implemented. This can result in requesting for changes in law or leadership that will be critically acceptable. Having the information on how critical affects power, there are certain measures that one when in a position of power ought to take. Flexible ideology is important to have authority on the people and avoid any inhibitions from the critical ideologies. Any person in an administrative position should be flexible and accommodate any new unconventional ideologies. In the Arab uprising for example, the idea of revolution came about through the critical application of democratic leadership. In many instances where critical ideologies are applied there is always a resulting shift in power. A critical ideology tries to answer the questions around authority, like who has the power? This person or institution that possesses power is expounded greatly. For example, in a country where people are oppressed, the people question who really allowed the oppressing power to operate. Having such a different perspective from the normal they are the leaders we have only one option and that is to follow the rules answers the questions of how critical affects power. In the influential aspect of power critical plays an important role, this is because the power to influence has more effect on people than the instrumental power. Many at times, people have been deceived because of the cunning influential power. Being critical has always been crucial in the analysis of power and should be controlled well in an administrative position and a ruled position. Many at times one party uses the language to take advantage of another. In a religious scenario, a leader will inflict ideas that are not necessarily conveyed by the religion, which in turn will lead the people into doing thing opposite of the religious teachings. This is seen in many cases where people of Muslim faith are held captive by the influential power that they do acts that are not in their teachings. Education contributes to greatly to language and power, however, there are several factors that affect language and power differently when used in education. Critical literacy is the one of the elements. Critical literacy has been defined as the unique approach towards text by analyzing the texts beyond the surface meaning. It involves going beyond the theory and understanding what lies beneath the words. Critical literacy is employed to teach people to understand more than just words, this means that the students of critical literacy not only read words but also can have another perspective of the texts. This involves the texts that are in the advertisement media, politics, and other texts. Critical literacy is important in developing the skills necessary for people to crate their texts and as well as understand others. In language and power, the ability of people to understand what is being conveyed is important for smooth running. In many cases where texts are produced people engage only on the surface meaning which does not satisfy the objective of the texts. When people do not understand the underlying text, it is impossible to have authority on the people, as the main information that is implemented by the people does not reach the people as expected. Influential power relies greatly on the critical literacy to make the desired point. Currently there is an extensive production of information with boundaries and limits to the audience. The information is supposed to reach a specific audience; for example, an advertisement about contraceptives should target a certain age bracket. In propagation of this information, it is likely that children may see these advertisements. However, the texts used might have a hidden meaning that the people have to decode, which might not be easy for the kids or the unwanted bracket of audience. Critical pedagogy is a unique way of teaching and requires more effort than the conventional way of teaching. According to Kincheloe, Hayes, Steinberg, and Tobin (2011), critical pedagogy comprises more than just book learning, curricular dictated syllabus, teaching standards or textbooks. A teacher employing the critical pedagogical technique will thus have to be from the laid down rules and have an extensive knowledge concerning almost everything. This means the teacher will have to know of political and administrative structures, social structures and relations, economic and business ventures, technology and other disciplines that can be learned. Doing this is not easy and requires passion and principles. Because of exploring knowledge out of the horizons, one realizes freedom and recognizes authoritative resolutions that links knowledge to power and initiates constructive actions (Freire 2000). From the description above, critical pedagogy always finds its way to queries related to power. According to Brown (1989), knowledge is power, and the efficient use is more empowering to the person pursuing this knowledge. The importance of critical pedagogy is extensive and has great results to the students. Critical pedagogy is known to be the self-analysis of learning and examination of the learned content. Critical pedagogy is known to be very influential to the students to an extent of being referred to as radicalizing education. This is one of the reasons of critical pedagogy to power. Critical pedagogy is a unique form of teaching that challenges the learners in performing more than studying. In this case of learning, the students are given the authority over what they learn. This is achieved by removal of all boundaries that are present in normal learning that is limited by the curriculum. Pedagogy allows the students to diversify their knowledge and set the limits by themselves. The form of teaching is substitution of power from the tutor to the students. The uniqueness of this practice is amazing and the students have better outcomes compared to the conventional form of learning controlled by the institutions. Multiculturalism is another method of teaching that is different from the orthodox teaching principles. Multiculturalism is a form of system that facilitates the interaction of different cultures without misunderstanding. Different cultures have an impact on the power and language between people. Critical multiculturalism is based on the idea that the same issues, which are not affected by the culture and geographical location of the people, affect the world (Kincheloe & Steinberg 1997). This form of reasoning tries to bring together the different issues that people experience collectively and solve the problems as one. Critical multiculturalism embraces a more general perspective of human relations and offers harmony between different cultures rather than the normal hostility that is experienced by different groups. Critical multiculturalism focuses on three pillars that guide the lives of people (May, 1999). The first is the structural systems, practices, policies, and law that determine the different associations of a people. The second pillar is the different symbolism that groups have. A group of people usually has a symbolic representation of their community; these are like flags and coat of arms of a nation. The last one is the micro interaction of people; this is the lowest form of interaction between persons, and how it is done and what affects it. Critical multiculturalism affects power and language in various ways. The accommodation of different cultures in harmony is one of the ways power is affected. Power is ensuring of unity among different people and working together of people despite the disparities. Critical multiculturalism gives power a platform of execution with minimal hindrances. Language is also set to a standard acceptable to minimize the differences and enhance the interaction of the people. Critical approaches to education have several advantages that result from the practice. Handing of power to students to set their limits of learning is one of them. This is a good opportunity for the students to explore their abilities in different ways without any limits to their search of knowledge. It also allows the tutors to be relieved stressful tasks of managing the students who can do that by themselves. Critical approach to education encourages the active participation of students, in the conventional educational approach most students are left out due to the standards set. This is the opposite in critical approaches to education, which gives each student an opportunity to participate in any educational activity within their capability. Critical approach to education is important to the students and tutors as well in terms of the effect of the learning in the future. In application of the traditional methods of teaching, the teachers engage in teaching the students content that does not last long. Most of the traditional approach to education is for a set period and when the student is done with the stage, the content is likely to be considered irrelevant and forgotten as a result. Critical approach to education on the other hand has a lifetime effect on the students and tutors, the knowledge acquired through a critical approach to education remains relevant to someone even after completion of school and it is applied later. Having many merits, critical approach to education has demerits as well. Dedication and commitment to the technique are compulsory in attaining the desired outcomes. Critical approach to education requires that the participants dedicate most of their time and energy in learning how to do it and implementing the new method as well. It requires people with passion and principles to be able to transform the learning process effectively. This might be difficult to get the personnel to commit to such a venture and the students might be uncooperative in the process of achieving the results. Critical approach to education is bound to be chaotic in the future. Critical approach to education disregards several rules of the traditional approach to education that ensure law and order is maintained at an institution (Early, Rehage, & National Society for the Study of Education 1999). These are the class structure, the student’s responsibilities, following of curriculum among others. Disregarding these regulations could create an environment of resistance to any laws that are passed by an institution. Critical approach gives power to the students to determine their own limits and power to be more practical than theoretical. Critical approach to education is a challenge to order, which will be compromised in the future. Language and power is crucial to any society and influences major aspects of living. This subject is normally ignored and left to philosophers to develop philosophies on the matter and rarely do people see the importance. Involving the philosophy of critical approach to language and power in education where the majority of people have to pass through is recommended to have a different perspective on language and power. Critical approach to education is the required evolution in the learning process and teaching as well. References Brown, R. D 1989, Knowledge is power: The diffusion of information in early America, 1700-1865, Oxford University Press, New York Early, M, Rehage, K. J & National Society for the Study of Education 1999, Issues in curriculum: A selection of chapters from past NSSE yearbooks, National Society for the Study of Education, Chicago. Freire, P 2000, Pedagogy of the oppressed, Continuum, New York. Kincheloe, J. L & Steinberg, S. R 1997, Changing multiculturalism: New times new curriculum, Open University Press, Buckingham. Kincheloe, J. L, Hayes, K, Steinberg, S. R & Tobin, K. G 2011, Key works in critical pedagogy: Joe L. Kincheloe, Sense Publishers, Rotterdam May, S 1999, Critical multiculturalism: Rethinking multicultural and antiracist education, Falmer Press, London. Rhoads, R. A & Valadez, J. R 1996, Democracy, multiculturalism, and the community college: A critical perspective, Garland Pub, New York Simpson, P & Mayr, A 2010, Language and power: A resource book for students, Routledge, London. Read More